We're Off To Pilgrim Christian School!

Allison Brooke ~ Preschool

~Sisters~

Kaitlynn Ann ~ 2nd Grade

Evan Matthew ~ 5th Grade

~Brothers~

Nathaniel Ryan ~ 7th Grade

On the night of August 23rd, there were at least 4 kids in town who had difficulty getting to sleep...and they all have the same last name. :-)
The excitement of a new school year is something that never gets old. Year after year, the energy builds and we find ourselves renewed and ready to open our minds to new information and relationships. The biggest changes for our family are that Allison is now enrolled in class, and Ryan has moved to a new classroom. Everyone is acclimating well, and we are excited about the possibilities brought to us in the 2011-2012 school year!

On The Road Again...

We hadn't originally planned to take a vacation this summer, but opportunity knocked, and we answered. What a great time it was! Both sets of grandparents were able to come along, and we were blessed to spend a gorgeous four days in Mackinaw City, MI. Dad and Mom Nichols traveled with us (we were both pulling RV's), and Dad and Mom Burley were able to get a cabin near us at Mill Creek Campground. Lake Huron was just a few feet from our campsite, and we had a great view of the bridge and Mackinac Island from there. Greg hadn't been to Mackinaw since he was 14, and Dad and Mom Nichols, Kaitlynn, Allison, and myself had never been there.  We are thankful for a safe trip, and a relaxing time.  We didn't need a vacation to recover from this vacation.  Love it.

Lots of time was spent resting by the water, taking in the beauty of nature, and laughing together.

Coffee, ice cream, fudge...nightly rituals in Mackinaw City.

Still amazed at that bridge!

Allison loved the water, and was chasing her duck...they're all hers, by the way.  :-)

Cruisin' out to Mackinac Island

Touring the island by horse and carriage...for about two hours!

Check out that shoe!  :-)

One of the beautiful natural spots on the island

A free ride on big brother's shoulders...

I could handle this in my backyard...

Wild flowers, rocks, insects, lots of cool "free" stuff!

Another two hour ride, this time through the Locks in Sault St. Marie...

We went out through American waters, and back in on the Canadian side...it's the only way to get the kids to Canada without all the documentation these days!

A backed-up bridge coming into the U.S, from Canada...

Canadian shores...

Ready to head south toward home...we'll definitely be back again!

I didn't take too many pictures of local sites, and now I wish that I had. Visiting the Island is like taking a step back into time...all the historic buildings and homes, bicycles, horses and carriages...it's amazing. The people are friendly, and the pace is so relaxing. It didn't take long to scout out a favorite coffee shop and a favorite boutique. :-) A return visit will definitely be in the plan!
Hope your summer was wonderful!

~Friends~

We are blessed to live in an area where there are other families who have the same values.  Our children are able to have a large circle of friends with whom to share life's experiences.  Recently, the girls were unable to attend a couple of birthday parties because of other commitments.  They were bummed, of course, but we were able to make it up by having play dates with the birthday girls on other days. 
Celebrating Halie Cantrell's 4th birthday at the super cool McDonald's playland!

Allison sharing Burl's Teddy Grahams

 

Burl was more interesting in eating than posing.

Halie...all giggles while playing air hockey.

Because mornings are the absolute best time to hit the playland, we met at 10:30 a.m. Due to a lazy summer schedule, Kait and Alli weren't used to playing hard so early, and boy, were they ever tired!  Such fun times for the little gals.  :-)

All worn out and ready to go home!

Celebrating Arianna Gross's 7th birthday at Dairy Queen!

A cool treat, well-deserved...they had to wait in Verizon for
a good long time just previous to this, and they were so patient!

Because Kait and Arianna thought they were too cool to
sit with the little sis, Alli and her mommy had their own
ice cream social.  :-)

                            "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."

                                                              - Abraham Lincoln